Model Rocket Building Blog
Semroc Micro Mars Lander, KMX-02, Part 1, PartsIn the past I've built the full size Estes and Semroc Mars Lander (Sorry, not on this blog) and the Estes Mini Mars Lander: CLICK HERE . Now things are going to get even smaller - This looked like a challenge and I have plenty of MicroMaxx motors to fly it with. Here's the front and back of the ...[Read More]
Semroc Micro Mars Lander, KMX-02, Part 2, Leg (Fin) PrepThe lander legs are cut clean on some 1/32" thick basswood. Before removing the legs from the sheet, the strut holes were cleaned up using a small rat tail file. Just a light twist to smooth out the laser cut holes. I found out later this wasn't needed, so skip what I did here. On the Semroc MMX ...[Read More]
Semroc Micro Mars Lander, KMX-02, Part 3, Nose Cone & Tube PrepThe nose cone is probably the cleanest 3D part I have seen in a kit. There is still some ridges but they are small. At the bottom shoulder ridge there are some "nubs". Using a sanding block with 400 grit, the nubs are sanded smooth. As mentioned above, there is some layer ridges. The outside ...[Read More]
Semroc Micro Mars Lander, KMX-02, Part 4, Main Nozzle FormingThis is the two leg alignment tool pieces. To the left is the engine mount depth guide and the nozzle pieces. The other side is a bit smoky but this doesn't effect the build. The instructions say to glue the three nozzle rings to the motor mount tube. I thought it might be easier to shape the ...[Read More]
Semroc Micro Mars Lander, KMX-02, Part 5, Base Disk ShapingThe base disk has a light line laser cut around the outside to mark the inside of the edge taper. I sanded the side by holding the piece at an angle and turning against a sanding block. Here's the shaped piece ready for filling. Both the formed nozzle and base disk got a coat of CWF and sanding. ...[Read More]
Semroc Micro Mars Lander, KMX-02, Part 6, Engine Mount AssemblyWith the nozzle and base disk glued even with the bottom of the motor mount tube, the lower centering ring follows. The lower ring is the one without a hole for the Kevlar line. The upper ring got a line of glue for a tighter fit on the motor mount tube. After the inside glue ring dried I had a ...[Read More]
Semroc Micro Mars Lander, KMX-02, Part 7, Support Housing AssembliesIn the kit instructions- The lander legs are glued on the body tube, then the triangular pieces are glue around the upper leg. I thought the leg supports would be easier to smooth out off the model, especially the joint seams at the open slot top. Glue the small center piece on one side of the ...[Read More]
Semroc Micro Mars Lander, KMX-02, Part 8, Leg Support GluingI used the alignment tool to mark the fin locations. The support housings were glued on using the alignment tool to check the spacing. On most models I plan ahead for masking and painting. The main body and these support housings are gloss white. The legs are orange or red. Spray them separately ...[Read More]
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